The effect of different candies on tooth decay. The acid and sugars in the candies harm the teeth- the more acidic the candy the worst the effect.
Hypothesis
That the candy with the lowest pH will have the most harmful effect on tooth makeup and that the saliva will buffer the solution to protect the teeth.
Journal Article
Lab Procedure
Dilute one gram of various sour candies in 5 mL of both water or spit, test the pH using a pH probe, and submerge teeth to test the visible effects.
Apparatus & Chemicals Needed
Test tubes, test tube rack, pH probe and logger pro, beakers to hold candy and saliva, and parafilm to cover solutions.
Safety Information
Safety goggles.
Other information
ABSTRACT
CANDY ACID AND TOOTH DECAY. Claire Samuelson and Laura Goetz.
The purpose of this lab was to test the effects that different sour candies have on tooth decay, to determine how saliva inhibits the negative effects because of its buffering capacity, and how the length of exposure time determines the extent of the damage. By diluting different types of candies in both saliva and distilled water, the pH of each candy type was found and compared to what it becomes in the mouth. The candies diluted in distilled water had lower pH than their counterparts dissolved in saliva- meaning that when candies are eaten, saliva’s high buffer capacity somewhat neutralizes the pH. Titrating the solutions revealed that while water gave no resistance to changes in pH, saliva acted as a good buffer and resisted change pH when either 0.025 M HCl or 0.020 M NaOH was added. The effects of different candy solutions on teeth were tested and results showed that the candy in distilled water had more harmful effects on the teeth than the candy in saliva- the distilled water solutions stained the teeth majorly while the saliva solutions show only light discoloration. This experiment confirms the issue that surrounds eating sour candies, supporting the idea that, because sour candies have low pH, they have the most harmful effect on teeth and likely cause the greatest amount of tooth decay and that saliva has a useful ability to resist harmful acid effects by buffering the candy. Keywords: tooth decay, acid, saliva, buffer capacity, demineralization, remineralization.
CLAIRE SAMUELSON AND LAURA GOETZ
ABSTRACT
CANDY ACID AND TOOTH DECAY. Claire Samuelson and Laura Goetz.
The purpose of this lab was to test the effects that different sour candies have on tooth decay, to determine how saliva inhibits the negative effects because of its buffering capacity, and how the length of exposure time determines the extent of the damage. By diluting different types of candies in both saliva and distilled water, the pH of each candy type was found and compared to what it becomes in the mouth. The candies diluted in distilled water had lower pH than their counterparts dissolved in saliva- meaning that when candies are eaten, saliva’s high buffer capacity somewhat neutralizes the pH. Titrating the solutions revealed that while water gave no resistance to changes in pH, saliva acted as a good buffer and resisted change pH when either 0.025 M HCl or 0.020 M NaOH was added. The effects of different candy solutions on teeth were tested and results showed that the candy in distilled water had more harmful effects on the teeth than the candy in saliva- the distilled water solutions stained the teeth majorly while the saliva solutions show only light discoloration. This experiment confirms the issue that surrounds eating sour candies, supporting the idea that, because sour candies have low pH, they have the most harmful effect on teeth and likely cause the greatest amount of tooth decay and that saliva has a useful ability to resist harmful acid effects by buffering the candy.
Keywords: tooth decay, acid, saliva, buffer capacity, demineralization, remineralization.
Journal Articles
http://www.dentalhealthsite.com/eating-sour-candy-consuming-battery-acid/
http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/05/sugar-acid-and-teeth/
Figure One: Comparison of Teeth in Different Solutions
This picture shows the drastic difference between a tooth immersed in Warhead and water solution (left) and a tooth immersed in Warhead and saliva solution (right).
Enamel Dissolution by Various Food Acidulants in a Sorbitol Candy
http://jdr.sagepub.com/content/57/3/447.short
Sugar, acid and teeth
http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/05/sugar-acid-and-teeth/Table 1: pH Trials
CITATIONS
Admin. (2008, October 10). Eating Sour Candy is like consuming Battery Acid. Dental Health Site. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.dentalhealthsite.com/eating-sour-candy-consuming-battery-acid/
Dentists warn of link between sour candy and tooth damage. (2008, November 21). KTTC.com. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.kttc.com/story/9394941/dentists-warn-of-link-between-sour-candy-and-tooth-damage
Goulart, F. (1986). TOOTH SAVERS. Saturday Evening Post, 258(9), 14-15.
Jensdottir, T. (2009, February 9). Effects of Sucking Acidic Candy on Whole-Mouth Saliva Composition. Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?doi=88181&typ=pdf#OLN
J., Rube. pH Values For Sour Candy. 2009. TRAC Research 1 Apr. 2009: n. pag. Print.
Kaiser, A. (n.d.). Sugar, acid and teeth. Digital Bits Skeptic. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/05/sugar-acid-and-teeth/
Nagel, R. (n.d.). Candy and Tooth Decay (Cavities). Tooth Decay Cure - Tooth Decay Pain, Natural Causes and Treatment - Cure Tooth Decay. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.curetoothdecay.com/Tooth_Decay/candy_tooth_decay.htm
OAKENFULL, D., & COCHRANE, N. (2010). Eating away your teeth. Choice (0009-496X), 24-26.
The Importance of Saliva. (2011, December 30). Gentle Dental. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.gentledentalgroup.com/2011/12/the-importance-of-saliva/